Namibia and South Africa have taken a significant step towards resolving the long-standing Orange River boundary dispute.
This comes as a report of a joint committee of experts has been submitted to the fourth session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) for consideration.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the report marks an important milestone in efforts to conclude a matter that has remained unresolved for more than three decades.
She said this on Friday during the BNC summit in Pretoria, South Africa.
She said the issue traces back to a decision by former presidents Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela, who agreed that the boundary question required urgent attention.
A joint committee of experts, established in 2016, completed a report in 2017.
“It was later considered by ministers responsible for the political, diplomatic and legal committee during a meeting at Swakopmund in October 2024 before being tabled at the BNC summit.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed hope that the summit would bring the matter to a conclusion, saying it would close “the chapter on colonialism” and benefit both current and future generations.
Quoting Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, she said: “An opportunity should always be for future generations.”
She also recalled former president Hage Geingob’s remarks that while countries cannot choose their neighbours, they can choose to cooperate in good faith, adding that Namibia remains committed to resolving bilateral issues through dialogue and mutual respect.
